Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 26, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits for millions of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14, 2025.
“We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “In addition to extending the policy’s effective date by two weeks to ensure our employees have the training they need to help customers, Medicare, Disability, and SSI applications will be exempt from in-person identity proofing because multiple opportunities exist during the decision process to verify a person’s identity.”
Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.
Individuals who cannot use their personal my Social Security account to apply for benefits will only need to prove their identity at a Social Security office if applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits. SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases. The agency will not enforce these requirements in extreme dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios. SSA is currently developing a process that will require documentation and management approval to bypass the policy in such dire need cases.
Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to change their direct deposit information for any benefit will need to visit a Social Security office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment. The agency also recommends that individuals unable to apply online call to schedule an in-person appointment to begin and complete a claim for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits in one interaction.
SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.
The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments to ensure it pays the right person the right amount at the right time while safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers. SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS). AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests. SSA will continue to fight fraud while balancing its program integrity responsibilities with delivering on its customer service mission to the American people.
People who do not already have a my Social Security account can create one.
Stay up to date about SSA’s identity proofing requirements and exceptions at What to Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA.
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Verna B.
These ‘new’ DOGE rules are ridiculous and time wasting. Get that South African Nazi out of our govt.’s information!
I will expect my SSA CHECK ON IT’S REGULAR DATE, which is on the 3rd of the month, until I’m dead. I will expect the amount to coincide with WHAT CONGRESS SAYS … AS IT RELATES TO COLA!
SO, much time and money has been WASTED by this “ADMINISTRATION”.
Get that FOOL OUT OF THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE NOW!!!! It sickens me that he occupies it.
william d.
My wife and i have been on social security for many years do we have to do anything under the new rules
C.B.
Hi. William. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Rebecca A.
I have already been receiving SS payments since July 2022…do I need to do anything further ?
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Rebecca. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Linda R.
My email has never changed and have used direct deposit for over 50 years. Have no plans too change. Thank you
BJ N.
Everyone who receive SSA benefits need to be update Identity again.?
C.B.
Hi, BJ. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Sharon B.
Please send me updates to my email. Thank you.
Linda O.
Do these new rules apply to my husband? He has been receiving Social Security retirement payments since 2003.
Tiffany A.
Yeah when I went to go check my information on SSI check my April benefit there was saying I was not getting no benefits here
Anthony W.
I have been receiving social security retirement benefits since 2022 do. These new rules apply to me
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Linda. There is no need for your husband to do anything right now. He will continue to receive his benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove his identity. We hope this helps.
Daun S.
How do these changes affect expats (U.S. citizens residing outside the boundaries of the United States)? I live in a foreign country and cannot easily return just to verify my identity.
C.B.
Thanks for using our blog, Daun. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Maxine P.
I have contacted Social Security by phone so many times, usually in protection of my son who is my legal ward and for whom I am representative payee. This is because the last time I drove him to the local Bloomington MN office, we waited more than two hours, which is beyond his physical capabilities to wait due to his disabilities, and we were the last party served at the office. Finally I brought over the packet of documentation that we were presenting in defense of an appeal I made when he was charged several thousand dollars in fines when I had overearned in 2018 when I was a new claimant, and the woman said she would look it over. She reviewed the 34-page packet of receipts and records along with the formal appeal report and said she would submit it. Nothing happened and several months later we were informed that the appeal was denied. When I have called, there have been more than one occasion when I felt that I was not listened to even though I quoted the last time I spoke with Social Security, the content of our conversation and the last mail I received. As far as the fine paid and subsequent fraud on my son’s account because some unknown person used his Social Security number to work while he was collecting benefits, the total loss was $5,000. My son has never worked for pay.
Harriet W.
Should all Social Security retirement people sign into my Social Security account system?
If so will they get personal E-mails from SS providing updated. information?
Will this take the place of paper mail?
Will this site be subject to getting hacked? Do I have to do anything to secure this private information?
Zettie D.
I am currently receiving my Social Security and my husband is dead. But one part on the Social Security account read that a woman could receive her husband amount since it was larger. Is that correct???
S.D.
We’re sorry for your loss, Zettie. If you have questions about whether your surviving spouse benefit is greater than your own benefit, please contact your local Social Security office right away. Or you can call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. You’ll find more information for widows in our blog, Survivor Benefits: Four Tips Widows Need to Know. We hope this helps.